Food Ideas

mate1432

We all know that coming up with what to eat is the hardest part. I can get up off my duff and workout with little resistance from myself, but when it comes to what to eat I'm clueless. Anyone have suggestions on good things to eat that 1) is not going to break the bank 2) isn't something that I can't even pronounce 3) is as close to natural as possible. I want all this hard work to last but not sure what to do that's better.

sjsd

What you want to do is precook and measure your food into small size bags and freeze the food in portion sizes. The trick is portioning it out.

Try cooking white meat chicken or turkey in bulk. Buy tuna in water. Buy salad in bulk. When you come home and open the fridge and you have to "think" about what you are going to make, that's the thing that will throw you off. If you make your diet plan as "idiot proof" as you can, and take the thinking out of it you will do better.

Try to stay as close to fresh foods as possible, don't use the Lean Cuisine meals, or low fat frozen meals. The extra salt added to preserve those meals is sky high. Make your own meals in advance, buy a soft side cooler with blue ice and pack your food that you prepared in advance.

You will have to realize that in order to be healthy and lose weight you will have to prepare in advance and maybe invest a few bucks into fresh poultry or fish. If you go to Costco, get the chicken that is in the meat department. Cook up about ten breasts and cut and freeze them. That will be your protein for several meals. Add the sides as you go;

sjsd

What you want to do is precook and measure your food into small size bags and freeze the food in portion sizes. The trick is portioning it out.

Try cooking white meat chicken or turkey in bulk. Buy tuna in water. Buy salad in bulk. When you come home and open the fridge and you have to "think" about what you are going to make, that's the thing that will throw you off. If you make your diet plan as "idiot proof" as you can, and take the thinking out of it you will do better.

Try to stay as close to fresh foods as possible, don't use the Lean Cuisine meals, or low fat frozen meals. The extra salt added to preserve those meals is sky high. Make your own meals in advance, buy a soft side cooler with blue ice and pack your food that you prepared in advance.

You will have to realize that in order to be healthy and lose weight you will have to prepare in advance and maybe invest a few bucks into fresh poultry or fish. If you go to Costco, get the chicken that is in the meat department. Cook up about ten breasts and cut and freeze them. That will be your protein for several meals. Add the sides as you go;

4lafz

Here are a few:

Grilled boneless chicken breasts - you can season, sauce (a little) per your taste
Baked halibut or salmon - I squeeze a bit of low cal dressing (Italian) or salsa on it and bake for 30 minutes
Fat free - even low fat cottage cheese and fruit
Yogurt
Sweet Potatoes are yummy baked without anything on them!
Grilled, steamed, or oven roasted veggies - your choice - I do with olive oil and garlic
Oroweat or Earthgrains sandwich thins for sandwiches - I buy the Buddig Heart Smart turkey and reduced fat cheddar
Egg beaters with anything you like it them - veggies - even light cheese
and speaking of cheese - I like the Laughing Cow Light in Swiss, Herb and Garlic or French Onion (yummy in egg beaters too)

There is an awesome recipe section on the message boards. Here are some recipe sites that I have used:
www.hungry-girl.com - swaps for fattening foods mostly but you will get loads of ideas
www.skinnytaste.com
www.eatingwell.com
www.3fatchicks.com

There is a start for you!

Holton

SJSD has really solid advice! I shop the perimeter of the grocery store, meaning fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, lean meats, yogurt, cheese; and occasionally some canned black beans/chick peas, and frozen vegetables. I have recently added in whole wheat pasta, but sparingly. I found that giving up white flour and white sugar really helped boost my weight loss and I feel so much better. I eat a lot of veggies and fruit raw, but also love to roast vegetables with olive oil and herbs so cooking is easy! Same with the meats, bake with a little olive oil and your favorite seasoning. My diary is public so feel free to give it a look for ideas.

mate1432

I make my steel cut oats for the whole week. Other than last week I haven't done any bread. It can leave me bloated (every now and then I crave the bread, so I'll get the good stuff and eat a piece a da). I too try to only do whole wheat noodles if we have them. I eat fruits and veggies and try to be pretty health smart. No butter. No added salt or sugar, and try to limit the natural salt and sugar.

Bighank7752

I found a great convenience food. Jennie -O 95% lean Turkey patties. I sautee them directly from frozen and can make a Turkey burger with Thins as the bread. Or top them with spaghetti sauce or any other topping. They are 30 grams of protein and I believr 120 calories. Very filling and very convenient.

Harold

XFitMojoMom

boiled eggs!
chicken thighs in bulk
avocado
asparagus
broccoli
spinach
cottage cheese

all simple ingredients you can make a ton of different meals from.

david1956

I eat a lot of stir-fries, in fact I often crave them after workouts. My supermarket has bags of pre-chopped veges (lots of variety, almost exactly what I'd tend to use myself anyway) and it works out way cheaper than buying individual items. Eating alone a bag is two big meals, along with chicken or beef-strips. Two days ago rump steak was on special and I've figured the beef strips and veges worked out at approx $4.50 for each meal. That's say $US3. To me, for a biggish meal packed with nutrition and relatively low cals I think that's as good as it gets. And going on the "you crave what your body needs" theory, after training I simply hog through it a bit like Homer Simpson devouring burgers.... you know that noise he makes. That's me!

Dawn_2013

As most of you, I work full time and find that when I am home, eating good food is not so bad, but the 'lunchroom' facilities at work leave much to be desired. One thing I do is cook up a cup or two of Quinoi (KEENWAH) every week and chop in fresh veggies and drizzle in a 1/2 TBSP on oilve oil and bit of apple cider vinegar per each one cup portion. It is filling, SUPER healthy and takes minimal work (except some chopping once a week...) SO worth it. Also, if I make a protein shake in the mornings, I am full for quite a while and it helps snacking on the 'bad stuff' when limited food is available at work outside of the dreaded vending machine...

Google Quinoi. It is full of antioxidents, is a grain that is full of protein and is so good for you...I am trying to move away from 'low calorie' and often unsatisfying foods, which make me want to keep eating and find foods that keep me satisfied longer...:smooched:

alphaip

Springerhill ranch has grass fed 98% lean ground beef - which has been a life saver for me as I get tired of chicken breast and fish.

lean beef or ground turkey breast with some jalapeno salt and two tbsp of bbq sauce and stuff it into a meidum sized baked potato.

mate1432

I'll have to try theQuinoi again last time I tried it I wan't a fan.

XFitMojoMom

be sure to "wash " it before you cook it, otherwise there is a funky taste to it.